June means that it’s officially time to kick off summer! With the new season comes so many ways to soak up the sun, enjoy local attractions, and indulge in all things uniquely Fairfax County. From fun festivals to fireworks shows, here's our roundup of things to do this month.
Taste Everything Delicious
June 8
Image courtesy Taste of Springfield
The 7th Annual Taste of Springfield food festival returns this month at the Springfield Town Center! Put on your stretchy pants and savor the delectable offerings from local Springfield restaurants. Treat your palate to some of Fairfax County's favorite restaurants while enjoying live music from bands and a DJ, plus much more entertainment. Come hungry and Bon appétit!
FREE Outdoor Concerts and Performances
The return of live music is back in full force in Fairfax County! There are hundreds of upcoming shows happening this summer that are perfect for a fun family outing, a date night, or just a nice way to spend time with friends. While you can still catch big-ticket performances at renowned performing arts venues like Wolf Trap, Jammin’ Java, George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, and others, you can’t beat free or minimally priced shows in a warm, outdoor setting on most nights of the week. You'll find these free outdoor performances all summer long throughout Fairfax County.
Celebrate Pride Month
June is annually recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. In celebration of Pride, Reston Pride puts on a community-wide Pride Festival at Lake Anne Plaza each year celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community featuring dance and vocal performances, keynote speakers, an awards ceremony, and more (June 1).
For more music and community, attend Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts' three-stage festival of music, art and nature headlined by Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes) in America's only National Park for the Performing Arts on June 22. Out & About celebrates pride by spotlighting LBGTQ+ artists and allies who live out loud. Don't sit on tickets to this one - they are expected to go quickly!
Bonus: For a kid-friendly version, Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods is also hosting its own Out & About Festival just for the little ones. Sing along with Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats as they bring their joyful tunes on June 22.
Paddles Up!
One of the most well-known landmarks in Fairfax County is the mighty Potomac River, running 405 miles long into the Chesapeake Bay. There's nothing like feeling the wind in your hair and gliding through miles of natural scenic landscapes. Whether you're kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing, there are plenty of places to go. Find your picture-perfect paddling adventure here on our boating page.
Celebrate Father's Day
June 16
Show your dad some love this Father's Day (and every day, of course) with special events dedicated to all the dads out there. Brunch is always a good idea, so start the day strong with a Father's Day brunch at Inca Social because food always tastes better with good company! Shipgarten is treating dads to a cold, refreshing beer at the Father's Day festival along with some "Daddy and Me" games for a bit of friendly competition. What dad wouldn't appreciate a pig roast? Luckily, Paradise Springs Winery is hosting a Father's Day Pig Roast. Come savor a BBQ sandwich, unwind on the back deck, and get lost in the tunes of a live jazz band. Colvin Run Mill is also celebrating with free admission for all fathers and grandfathers - bring them by to see the miller in action. Fairfax County is filled with parks and trails that happen to be adjacent to some of the region’s best breweries, so surprise your dad with an adventure by exploring our brew trail after a well-deserved hike. Whatever the celebration looks like, here's to all the dads out there!
Inside Scoop: Still need a last-minute gift? Take a look at our Father's Day Gift Guide, Made in Fairfax edition, for unique ideas beyond grilling gear.
Juneteenth
June 19
Image courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority
It is known as "America's Second Independence Day." Yet there is no battle marking that day. No birthday of a new nation. Not even an anniversary of a document. Rather Juneteenth, the commemoration of freedom from slavery, commemorates June 19, 1865 - the date federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last Americans held in captivity. There are several ways you can mark this important date in American history here in Fairfax County - here are a few to add to your list this Juneteenth.
Tysons Corner Center Summer on the Plaza
As if world-class shopping wasn't enough of a reason to fawn over Tysons Corner Center, they're serving up excitement all summer long on The Plaza! SUMMERFEST is filled with activations and events all summer long, such as live music, art, fitness, festivals, and more. See below for some of the exciting weekly events that will be held during June.
Urban Farm - The Giving Garden
The Urban Farm, "The Giving Garden" planted and maintained by MicroHabitat will yield a…
Summer Concert Series
Join the crowd at 4:00 PM -6:30 & 7:00-9:00PM for takeout and cocktails from our…
Game Night Thursdays
Join DC Fray for game night! Concepts will rotate between Cornhole, Ping Pong, and Bingo…
Wellness Sundays
Start your week well with complimentary fitness classes. From yoga to boot camp, take care…
"Wine" Down At The Vineyard
Wine lovers, rejoice! Who can resist a glass of chilled wine amid the scenic Virginia foothills on a warm summer day? Fairfax County is home to several expansive vineyards: Paradise Springs Winery and The Winery at Bull Run. There's even a micro-winery on Richmond Highway - Woodlawn Press Winery. Whether you enjoy a refreshing rosé, heavy-bodied red, or fruity white, there's always something to satisfy any palette at our local wineries.
Early July 4th Celebrations
Starting June 28
Begin your Independence Day celebration with a bang! Get an early start on the commemoration of American Independence at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Relax and enjoy a patriotic evening with dazzling fireworks and musical performances on June 28 and June 29! Meet people from George Washington's world as you hear about their experiences during the War for Independence. Visit Washington’s Tomb at night—this event is one of the few times this area is open in the evening. Concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will also be available. For more Independence Day festivities coming soon, bookmark this page and check back soon as more events will be added.
Even More Special Events
- June 1: Grand Opening of the Children’s Nature Library at River Farm
- June 8: Frank Lloyd Wright Birthday Celebration at Pope-Leighey House
- June 8: Tinner Hill Music Festival at Cherry Hill Farmhouse in the City of Falls Church
- June 14: Journeys in Genealogy at Woodlawn
- June 15: Innovations in Flight & Soar Together Family Day at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- June 16: Sully Annual Car Show at Sully Historic Site
As you can see, there are many ways to spend this month in Fairfax County! What activities will you do first? Don't forget to tag us on social media using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax for a chance to be featured on our website or in future posts!
